All eyes on Crankworx slopestyle

Signature event caps busy second week of Crankworx

Roughly 15,000 spectators are expected to crowd the base of Whistler Mountain on Saturday night as the world's top freeriders push their limits in the fifth annual Monster Energy Slopestyle - the crown jewel of the Crankworx festival, as well as the first freeride contest of its kind.

But while the slopestyle is the main attraction this weekend, it's just one of many worthy events taking place in the second half of Crankworx.

VW Trick Showdown - Thursday, Aug. 13

The Volkswagen Trick Showdown is returning for a second year, after thousands turned out last year to watch a mix of pro and amateur riders session some of the most interesting obstacles in the Boneyard at the base of Whistler in 2008.

This year there is $3,000 of prize money up for grabs, with the riders themselves judging the contest. As well, announcer Brad Ewan will give out $1,000 in cash over the course of the evening to reward riders.

There are two sessions lasting 45 minutes and up to 24 invited riders can take part. The first session gets underway at 5:30 p.m. and the second at 6:30 p.m. After the contest the final selection for Saturday's slopestyle will be announced.

Like everything at Crankworx the event is free to spectators but if you can't be there you can catch the live webcast at www.go211.com.

Giant Slalom - Friday, Aug. 14

Sponsored by Giant Bicycles, the Giant Slalom is also returning for a second year. The format is similar to the dual slalom, with two riders going head to head on two runs of a course and the fastest riders advancing through the brackets to the finals. The Double Vision course is a lot longer than the dual slalom, and has much bigger jumps, berms, and other features.

Both pro and amateur riders can take part, with the pro riders competing for $6,500 in prize money.

The amateur finals get underway at 3 p.m. and runs until 5:30 p.m., with the pro riders riding from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Canadian Open Enduro - Saturday, Aug. 15

This is a new event for Crankworx and is similar to a super D race where riders go uphill as well as down on the way to the finish. Designed for a bike with five inches of travel in front and back, the course starts at the top of Garbanzo and includes 3,800 vertical feet of descending as well as up to 500 feet of climbing.